Apartment Living: How To Have A Stress Free Move

I hadn’t planned on moving this year. I loved my apartment. It was a huge two-bed two-bath apartment with a massive walk-in closet, a balcony (and grill!), a fitness center and sundeck. But when things shifted and I could not afford to stay there on my own, I knew I had to move out. Moving can be as stressful or as easy as you make it. Here are some tips that helped me make the move as smooth as possible.

Plan Ahead:

Do your homework: Start researching and visiting potential new places about 30 -45 days out. The stress of not knowing if you will be homeless is enough to give you an ulcer.

Research multiple moving companies: Compare moving companies to see which fits best with your schedule and budget.

DO NOT wait until 1 week before to schedule your movers. Weekend and end of the month moves fill quickly, so schedule this as soon as you know your new address and desired moving date. Do you have an elevator that needs to be reserved? The longer you wait, the harder it is to coordinate the buildings and to get the time/date that you want.

Call to confirm mover/vendor appointments a 3-5 days prior to your move to avoid any surprises.

Create a “change of address” check list of vendors. Go online or call (credit-card companies, subscriptions, work documents, bills, bank) to include your new address.

Get your mail forwarded by going to USPS website 7-10 days before you move. *Note: most magazine subscriptions do not get forwarded. You must manually change this online.

Contact utility companies to activate service at your new address and to cancel or transfer from your old address. You don’t want to move in with no electricity or heavens forbid, internet!

Organize/Packing Strategies:

Bankers boxes are great for the heavier items. They are smaller and have handles so this makes it easier to lift and carry.

Get wardrobe boxes! If your moving company doesn’t provide these – this is worth the investment. Instead of shoving your clothes in garbage bags, boxes or suitcases and then having to spend the time to hang everything back up – it is a simple transfer. Simply move them from the closet to the hanging box and directly into the new closet. It makes unpacking a snap and keeps clothes as virtually wrinkle free. Plus, it helps you feel productive and less overwhelmed when it comes to unpacking.

Group similar items together. Pack books with books and DVDs with DVDs. Keep kitchen items in one box and bathroom supplies in another.

Pack cleaning supplies last so you can do a final clean before you leave the keys behind and a quick clean at the new place.

Make a To Donate box to give to the local shelter.

Label boxes: Identify general contents, location to be delivered and if it is fragile. This helps you unpack more efficiently and helps the movers know where to place them. Use sharpie pens or stickers. This packing strategy can eliminate a lot of stress.

Use towels & blankets to wrap fragile items. This accomplishes two things – it serves as protection for the breakable item as well as a place to pack the blanket, thus leaving more room in other boxes for other things.

Do not overpack a box. Although it may all fit, remember they get heavy fast and that you have to be able to lift and move the box.

If you live in a building that has doormen or maintenance men – ask them for boxes. Or go to your local grocery store and see if they have left over boxes they’d like to recycle. Boxes aren’t cheap.

If you have something you are afraid might spill – like an olive oil pourer – tape a cotton swab to the spout before wrapping.

Do not wait until the night before to start packing. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you run out of tape/boxes, all the stores are closed and the movers are coming in 4 hours. It will be a lot less overwhelming if you make it a gradual process.

Use a buddy system: packing is more fun when you have someone to help keep you focused and motived.

If you rent your own moving truck – put the big heavy stuff (the couch, bed, tables, TV’s) in the truck last so they are the first to come out. This way you can determine where you want them to go and place the boxes around them rather than have to trip over boxes and move the heavy stuff again.

If you move on your own – get a dolly. It will save you weeks of aches and pains and medical bills.

Pack perishable food last.

Eliminate:

Moving is a great opportunity to purge those belongings that you have been unnecessarily hoarding. Go through your belongings for things to throw away or donate. The more you keep, the more effort required to move it and unpack it. Do you really need those magazines from three years ago? Those shoes you haven’t worn in 5 years? That half empty hotel shampoo bottle?

Check expiration dates: Go through your cupboard and toss anything that is expired, will expire within a month of moving or has is 1/3 or less remaining.

Keep This “Just In Case” Kit With You:

Move any items yourself that are especially delicate, valuable or personal. The mover’s limits of liability would not cover the replacement of these items of they were lost or damaged during the move and it gives you a piece of mind.

Keys and directions to your new home (pick this up before the move to avoid delays and stress)

There’s a lot to do when moving, things can easily be forgotten and there can be a lot of anxiety about the process and pending change. But, following this easy tips and with a little planning and organizing, moving can be stress-free and possibly even an enjoyable process.

What are your best moving tips?

My last wardrobe box. The others were filled to capacity.

*This post was sponsored by you move free. They can help you find a new apartment. All the tips and suggestions are my own.*

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Author: Caryn

Hi! My name is Caryn. I'm a midwest transplant living on the east coast. I love games, asking questions, making lists, and sunshine. I dream of someday owning an antique car, starting my own charity, and traveling the world. Welcome to my Blog!
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9 thoughts on “Apartment Living: How To Have A Stress Free Move”

After visiting the post entirely it seems relocating is not so tough job! While shifting everyone has to face lots of troubles but by following your scheme each can ensure of a safe move. Thank you so much for an elaborate description of each step carefully.Los Angeles Movers

I think the best moving advice anyone ever gave me was to back a box of all the stuff I’ll need right away – toilet paper, toothbrush, coffee pot, towel, etc. Knowing where all that stuff is right off the bat can be a HUGE time saver.

Cool tips, although the boxed in closed looks a little complicated to do! Esp if you don’t have a rod. I’ve moved to 20+ different apartments myself and have ended up giving away most of my stuff to lighten my baggage. I don’t know when I’m gonna stop moving. lol

Very useful tips you have share. Very breakable items should be wrapped individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. When packing glassware and/or china make sure there is sufficient padding at the top and bottom of the box as well as around the items. A simple packing ratio for fragile items is to try to incorporate 2/3 of the contents as the fragile items and 1/3 of the contents as padding.

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Hi! My name is Caryn. I'm a midwestern transplant living on the east coast. I love being active and experiencing life, nature, and am always planning my next travel opportunity. I am a dreamer and optimist, yet still a realist. My goal here is to share stories - travel & personal, and hopefully share insightful thoughts and inspire others in positive ways. Welcome to my blog!